An Irish spin on science by science journalist Sean Duke

Africa holds the key to Ireland’s asthma problem

Ireland has one of the highest incidence of asthma in the world, and the problem shows no signs of going away. So, why is it that asthma is increasing everywhere in the developed world, and Ireland in particular?

Meanwhile, in less developed countries, such as many African nations, asthma is rarely seen.

Professor Padraic Fallon, based at the Institute for Molecular Medicine at TCD, a renowned asthma researcher. Prof Fallon said that he has been focused on identifying the factors that make African children resistant to asthma.